WHAT TO DO, WHERE TO GO

>>"Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" is coming to the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples for two performances on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 12 and 13. This week's theater

Indian Blood - Florida Repertory Theatre presents "Indian Blood,'' by A.R. Gurney, through Sunday, Dec. 21. "Indian Blood,'' a play the New York Times called a "snow globe for the stage," is a touchingly funny family portrait, and a perfect comedy for the holiday season. Call 332- 4488 or go to www.floridarep.org.

On the Hard - The Island Arts Foundation presents "On The Hard," its first Purple Heart Theater production of an original play by local playwright Fay Graetz. The two-act play is about a husband and wife infected by a dream to cruise the Caribbean. They've sold everything and moved aboard a fixer-upper in a backwater boatyard in Florida. It is a story about the ebb and flow of wanderlust, love and commitment. The show plays Dec. 5, 6 and 7. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7 p.m. with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 and $35 for Island Arts Foundation members and $25 and $45 for non-members. For information, call 218-6061.

White Christmas - The Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre presents "Irving Berlin's White Christmas," through Dec. 27. "White Christmas" is based on the movie classic made popular by Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney. It's 1954 and two Army buddies turned show biz partners follow a duo of singing sisters to Vermont where the girls are scheduled to perform over Christmas. The Irving Berlin score includes "Happy Holidays," "Sisters," "Blue Skies," and the title song, "White Christmas." For reservations and show information, visit www.BroadwayPalm. com, call 278-4422 or stop by the box office at 1380 Colonial Blvd.

Play On - "Play On,'' written by Rick Abbot, is playing at the Schoolhouse Theater on Sanibel Island through Dec. 6. It's the hilarious story of a community theater group trying desperately to put on a play in spite of maddening interference from a haughty author who keeps revising the script up to the day of the performance. Call 472-6862

Forbidden Broadway - "Forbidden Broadway" is on stage at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theater - Off Broadway, through Dec. 20. "Forbidden Broadway" is the hysterical musical comedy that pokes fun at Broadway productions. For reservations and show information, visit www. BroadwayPalm.com, call 278-4422 or stop by the box office at 1380 Colonial Blvd.

Love Loves - "Love Loves a Pornographer," a contemporary comedy of manners by Jeff Goode, opens at Theatre Conspiracy runs through Dec. 6. Lord Loveworthy has a problem. His only daughter is soon to be married. And the only way to pay for her wedding is to blackmail the vicar who's seducing his wife. But how does a Victorian pornographer commit extortion, without inordinate discord, at tea? Theatre Conspiracy is located at 2711 Park Windsor Dr., suite 302, Fort Myers. Call 936-3239 or go to www.theaterconspiracy.org.

Musical Comedy - "Musical Comedy Murders of 1940'' plays at the Sugden Community Theatre through Saturday, Dec. 20. This play happily spoofs the dramatically staged mystery thrillers of the 1940s. The show contains slapstick comedy, satire, mystery, murder and romance, in a lively tribute to the golden age of movies. For information and tickets, call The Naples Players Box Office at (239) 263-7990 or online at www. naplesplayers.org

It's a Wonderful Life - Cultural Park Theatre Company presents "It's a Wonderful Life'' Dec. 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, inspired by the classic American film. A live radio play is performed as a 1940s live radio broadcast in front of a studio audience. Five actors perform the dozens of characters in the radio play as well as produce the sound effects. For tickets, call 772-5862 or visit www.culturalparktheater. com.

This week's symphony

Mystical Mendelssohn - The Naples Philharmonic Center of the Arts presents "Classical No. 2 Mystical Mendelssohn,''' conducted by Jorge Mester, Dec. 4-6. Mendelssohn's spiritual Fifth Symphony ("Reformation") was written to mark the 300-year anniversary of Martin Luther's Augsburg Confession, which established the doctrines of Lutheranism. This powerful work — the composer's first-written symphony — is known for its chorale settings and majestic ending. Another Mendelssohn masterwork is his dazzling "Violin Concerto,'' which blends lyrical intensity and technical innovations. Opening the program will be Hindemith's "Suite from the Nobilissima Visione,'' his ballet on the life of Saint Francis. For more information or to order tickets, contact customer service at 597-1900 or toll-free at (800) 597-1900 or visit www.thephil. org.

Hello Hollywood - The Southwest Florida Symphony presents "Hello Hollywood'' at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at 8 p.m. Dec. 5 and 6. Conductor Erich Kunzel, "The Prince of Pops,'' returns to the SWFL Symphony for a Pops opener that pays tribute to Hollywood, featuring favorites from "Amadeus,'' "Shine,'' "Driving Miss Daisy," "Somewhere in Time" and more. Concert and reception tickets are $50, reception only is $25. For tickets, contact the box office at 418-1500.

Thursday, Dec. 4

Quilters Unlimited - Art Quilters Unlimited will have an opening reception on Dec. 4 at Cummings and Lockwood Offices from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. There will be 37 quilts on display. E-mail AQU.info@ yahoo.com.

Friday, Dec. 5

H.M.S. Pinafore - Opera Naples presents "H.M.S. Pinafore,'' this year's family opera by Gilbert and Sullivan, at the Cambier Park band shell. The show plays at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 and 6. To purchase tickets, call toll-free: 1-800-771-1041 or go to http://operanaples.tix.com.

Art Walk - Eleven historic River District art galleries and venues have united to form Art Walk, a free downtown art celebration, on the first Friday of each month from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. The next Art Walk is Friday, Dec. 5. Participating groups in the year-round event will include Art of the Olympians, Art League of Fort Myers, Arts for ACT Gallery and Boutique, Community Art Showcase in the Harborside Event Center, daas Gallery, Southwest Florida Museum of History, Howl Gallery, La Casa Del Arte Gallery, Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, Space 39 Gallery, and Union Street Artist Company. Along with the art galleries, restaurants and other businesses will support the monthly trek. Opening receptions will be held at many of the galleries, along with refreshments and music. Friday Night Live, the popular weekly concert series in the Patio de Leon, will provide a musical interlude between 5 and 8 p.m. as art patrons wander from one art stop to the next.

Saturday, Dec. 6

Art in the Park - Naples Art Association presents "Art in the Park'' on Park Street, alongside the von Liebig Art Center. Naples' oldest outdoor art festival in 2008-09 celebrates its 52nd anniversary season of showcasing artwork by Naples Art Association members the first Saturday of the month from November through April. The free, juried shows feature a variety of media, including paintings, photography, sculpture and jewelry. Refreshments are available.

Open Houses - Artists will meet the public at an open house at the International Design Center from noon - 4 p.m. The open house is part of the IDC's "Home for the Holidays" event featuring festive trees and holiday decorations. In addition, community groups will perform holiday favorites in the Grand Atrium from 1-4 p.m. The Showcase is open from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday and 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Saturday. Contact info@floridawestarts. com or (239) 948-4427.

Sunday, Dec. 7

Nunsense - The Naples Philharmonic Center of the Arts presents "Nunsense: A Musical Comedy.'' Twotime Emmy and Golden Globe awardwinner Sally Struthers, best-known for her role in the groundbreaking series "All in the Family,'' stars in this new production of "Nunsense.'' The Little Sisters of Hoboken discover that their cook, Sister Julia, Child of God, has accidentally poisoned 52 of the sisters and they are in need of funds for the burials. They decide to put on a variety show. The result is full of delightful comic surprises! For more information or to order tickets, contact customer service at 597-1900 or toll-free at (800) 597-1900 or visit www.thephil.org.

Tuesday, Dec. 9

Holiday Carol Sing - Area residents can celebrate the holidays at an old-fashioned sing-a-long and help feed the hungry at the Holiday Carol Sing at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Fort Myers. Admission is at least two cans of non-perishable food for The Soup Kitchen, operated by Community Cooperative Ministries, and a voluntary cash donation. It's the 18th year for the popular event, which is organized and sponsored by the Galloway Family of Dealerships. Because of the overwhelming popularity of the event, an additional 1 p.m. performance has been added this year. Two other performances are at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. The doors will open 30 minutes prior to show time. For more information, call 332-7687.

Upcoming events

A Very Merry Pops - "A Very Merry Pops'' is coming up at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, and 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21. For tickets, contact the box office at 418-1500.

Latin Dance Party - Champion dancer Alec Lazo, familiar to Philharmonic Center audiences for his performances with the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra, including Fiesta at the Philharmonic - will lead a new series, Latin Dance Party, as part of the Phil's Lifelong Learning arts education classes. This hot class is for upbeat, progressive singles and couples of all ages. Classes will be held in the Daniels Pavilion on Mondays at 7 p.m., on the following dates: Jan. 26 and March 9. Tickets for all three classes are $96 or tickets can be purchased for a single class date for $32. For more information or to order tickets, contact Customer Service at 597-1900 or toll-free at (800) 597-1900.

Winners Exhibitions - Florida West Arts presents the 2008 Artscape Florida West Award Winners Exhibitions through Dec. 27. Featured are acrylic and oil paintings by Carol McArdle; watercolor paintings by Christine Scott; fine art photography by Cynthia Walpole and Lynn Berreitter; digital imagery by Arthur Gerstein; pigmented ink on canvas by Pam Brodersen; and acrylic on silk mosaics by Christina Thompson. Contact info@floridawestarts. com or call (239) 948-4427.

Holiday Exhibition - Florida West Arts presents the Holiday Members Exhibition including two- and threedimensional artworks by Florida West Arts artist members through Dec. 27. A variety of styles, media and subject matter is featured. Contact info@floridawestarts. com or call (239) 948-4427.

Call For Artists - Artists are needed for ArtFest Fort Myers' "Art Under 20" High School Art Competition and Exhibit, with applications due Dec. 10. Entries will be accepted in five categories: Drawing, Mixed Media, Painting, Photography and 3-Dimensional. Artwork will be display and judged at ArtFest Fort Myers Feb. 7-8. Call Kristin Woolam, 768-3602, e-mail info@ArtFestFortMyers or visit www. ArtFestFortMyers.com Phoebe Snow - Phoebe Snow, who has been one of the most distinctive voices in popular music since the release of her self-titled debut album in 1974, will perform at the Philharmonic Center on Thursday, Dec. 11, at 8 p.m. After years of world tours, platinum records, hit songs including "Poetry Man" and "Two-Fisted Love," and a cover of Rolling Stone, Ms. Snow took time off to raise a daughter. Last year, she returned with a drop-dead R&B, soul-infused show featuring a new group and a rich catalogue of songs. Tickets to Phoebe Snow are $42. For more information or to order tickets, contact customer service at 597-1900 or toll-free at (800) 597-1900 or visit www.thephil.org. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels - The national tour of the scamming, scheming, double-crossing hit Broadway musical "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" is coming to the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples for two performances on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 12 and 13, at 8 p.m. Based on the popular 1988 MGM film, "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" centers on two con men living on the French Riviera — the suave and sophisticated Lawrence Jameson, who makes his lavish living by talking rich ladies out of their money; and a small-time crook named Freddy Benson, who, more humbly, swindles women by waking their compassion with fabricated stories about his grandmother's failing health. Tickets to "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" are $59. For more information or to order tickets, contact customer service at 597-1900 or toll-free at (800) 597-1900 or visit www.thephil.org.

Holiday Pops - Back by popular demand. Stuart Malina will lead the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra in "Holiday Pops," a stirring musical celebration of the season, at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts, Tuesday, Dec. 16, at 8 p.m.; Thursday-Sunday, Dec. 18-21, at 8 p.m.; and Saturday, Dec. 20, at 2 p.m. Tickets to Holiday Pops are $47 for adults and $22 for students. For more information or to order tickets, contact customer service at 597-1900 or toll-free at (800) 597-1900 or visit www.thephil.org.

Ongoing events NASA Art - "NASA Art: 50 Years of Exploration" is on display at the Art League of Bonita Springs through Jan. 24. The show is a Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition. More than 200 NASAcommissioned artists experienced a behind-the-scenes look at the agency - the scientists, astronauts, and other personnel who shaped the missions and programs. This fascinating look at our nation's space program will appeal to all ages. For information, call 495-8989. New exhibit - The new daas Gallery encourages is having a juried collective exhibition of small format pieces opening Friday, Dec. 5. Veron Ennis, the curator of the Ferrari Gallery in Cape Coral, will jury this "tiny" collection. The gallery is open from Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit www. daasgallery.com for more information. Call for artists - The Fort Myers Art Fair at the Bell Tower announced a call to artists for its juried fine art fair Jan. 3 and 4. The two-day festival is open to all styles and mediums of artwork, including paintings, sculptures, photography, glass, ceramics, and mixed media. Interested artists should contact Howard Alan Events at (954) 472-3755. Applications are also available online at www.artfestival.com